Exercise Machine Interface for Portable Media Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern exercise machines with integrated audio and video reproduction capabilities face limitations due to the weight and size of portable devices, which make them cumbersome to use during workouts, and the limited selection of content available through traditional media like radio and CDs.
Innovation Solution
An exercise machine with a graphical interface and communication means that allows seamless integration and remote operation of personal audio/video storage devices, such as iPods, using a touch screen for easy control and management of multimedia content during exercise, with a support system to minimize device handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable audio/video storage devices are used during exercise, then users can access a vast selection of preferred content, but the weight and size of these devices make them cumbersome to handle during workouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the portable media player from the user's hands and places it on a support structure attached to the exercise machine. The control interface is also separated from the media player and integrated into the exercise machine's display system, allowing the user to control the device without physically handling it during exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise machine acts as an intermediary between the portable media player and the user. It provides a support structure to hold the device, a display to show content information, and a control interface to manage playback, eliminating the need for the user to directly handle the media player during exercise.
2Weight of moving object
If portable devices are made smaller to reduce weight, then they become less cumbersome, but the dimensions of control keys and operating screens are reduced making operation extremely laborious during exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control interface of the portable media player with the exercise machine's existing display and control systems. The exercise machine's larger display shows information about the media content, and its control interface (including touch screen and physical buttons) manages playback functions, combining two separate control systems into one unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise machine's display and control systems are made multi-functional by enabling them to control not only the exercise machine itself but also the portable media player. This universal interface allows the same controls to manage both exercise equipment functions and media playback functions.
3Ease of operation
If traditional CD players or radio equipment are used in exercise machines, then audio reproduction is provided, but the selection of tracks is limited due to storage capacity and reception constraints
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on physical CDs or radio broadcasts, the system uses a portable digital media player that stores digital copies of audio and video content in memory. This digital storage allows for a much larger capacity and more versatile content selection compared to traditional CD players or radio equipment.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An exercise machine (1) comprises a frame (2) and means (3) for performing an exercise associated with the frame (2) to allow a user to perform at least a predetermined exercise; the exercise machine (1) comprises an interface (4) which can be associated, by means of a relative connection (5a), with an audio/video storage and reproduction device (6) with which information and commands can be exchanged, in particular when the exercise is being performed.